The 'big picture': why are we learning this?

After sharing with students what they are going to learn, it makes sense to give them a reason for learning it. That is, teachers answer the question, 'Why are we learning this?'

Broadly speaking, there are two possible answers:

We are learning this because it is something that we need to be able to do if we are going to be successful in school. (academic skills)

We are learning this because it is something that we need to know about, understand or be able to do in our everyday lives. (life skills)

Teachers will probably need to explain the academic importance of what they want their students to learn, but students will often be able to tell the teacher why the 'life skills' are important to learn.